Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/72

64 sake of the power it gives to do good, then is she in the way of becoming intelligent and wise.

A woman of true intelligence is a blessing at home, in her circle of friends, and in society. Wherever she goes, she carries with her a health-giving influence. There is a beautiful harmony about her character that at once inspires a respect which soon warms into love. The influence of such a woman upon society is of the most salutary kind. She strengthens right principles in the virtuous, incites the selfish and indifferent to good actions, and gives to even the light and frivolous a taste for food more substantial than the frothy gossip with which they seek to recreate their minds.

To give particular rules for self-improvement, and to specify the books to be read, and the order of reading them, is a thing not easily done. Indeed, what would be a right order for one to pursue, would not suit another; and therefore we shall not attempt to lay down any rules on this subject. Extensive reading is all very good; but right thinking on what we read, even if the amount be small, is far better. The only sound advice we are prepared to give is, for a young lady to suffer herself to be attracted towards the class of intelligent persons which she will always find in society, and to which we have alluded in